OSHAWA -- The game of basketball has taken Jushay Rockett to many a place over the years.
The Long Beach, California native has been to Arizona for junior college, Texas and Alaska within the NCAA ranks and overseas to places like China and Israel in pursuit of the dream.
And for the last two years it’s brought him up to Canada as a member of the NBL Canada’s Oshawa Power.
While his first experience with the Power was up and down to say the least, considering the team’s record in missing the playoffs in 2011-12, a coaching change and the fact he missed a chunk of games after paperwork issues delayed his return following a break for Christmas, year two has been a stark contrast.
Rockett has blossomed into the most reliable member of coach Larry Blunt’s team, scoring when necessary, but most importantly doing a little bit of everything at both ends of the court.
“It’s been exciting,” Rockett said of his experience with the Power this season. “We know we can compete with every team. We’ve had a chance to compete with everybody so far, at least once, and we know we can compete. We know we’re a force to be reckoned with as long as we play the right way.”
The difference from one year to the next has been noticeable, says Rockett, the 27-year-old power forward.
He says everybody is on the same page, pulling for each other and doing whatever it takes to win games for the team.
They are all hallmarks of things he prides himself on as a basketball player.
“I am a glue and I do anything you want me to do. I can dribble the ball, shoot the ball, I can pass the ball. I can defend. I’m a real good fit for a team,” he says. “If I don’t have to score, I can do all the other stuff. If I have to score I’ll score, but really I’m just one of those guys that I just want to win. I like winning. Whatever the teams needs to win, I’ll do it.”
And that he has.
Rockett has scored in double-figures 17 times this season and carries averages of 14.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game into the new year.
Not bad for a guy who didn’t take up the game until his first year of high school.
Baseball and football were his sporting loves up until that point, taking up all his time and attention.
In Grade 9 he opted to join the basketball team at Cabrillo High School in Long Beach, and while his freshman season was spent mainly manning the bench, things changed the following year, en route to a run of three straight letter honours and an MVP award in his senior year.
These days Rockett loves the game, loves being on the court and relishes his status as a role model for young kids.
At each turn he takes time to offer up some solid advice that he knows has helped him navigate the long, winding road.
“I tell kids about how I haven’t played this sport for a long time. You might hear about kids playing since they were little, but I picked it up late. It’s not about talent, it’s about how hard you work at it. I never felt like I was the best player, but I was willing to work hard,” he says.